HOUSTON Stables' imported American-bred chestnut horse Raise A Ruckus will face another stern test among a strong field of Open Allowance as he seeks his first win of the season in the $786,500 LC McKenzie Memorial Cup at Caymanas Park today.

The race has attracted a field of 11 talented runners going 1,400 metres that is scheduled for approximately 4:55 pm with first post at 12:30 pm.

Also on the 10-race card is the $516,600 Track Price Plus 'Dig Out' Handicap Race #8 closing event that will be contested among Restricted Allowance IV (NB four-year-olds and upward NW3) going 1,100 metres.

Raise A Ruckus, one of two top-weighted runners in the field trained by former champion trainer Philip Feanny — the other being Reasonable Press — is among the most genuine Open Allowance campaigners in the line-up and with the five-time champion jockey Winston Griffiths choosing to ride in preference to his stablemate, provides Raise A Ruckus with a solid chance of opening his five-year-old account after eight starts.

By Graeme Hall out of Likely Ruckus (Bold Ruckus) bred by Eugene Melnyk in the USA, Raise A Ruckus has be a most consistent performer in the grade and with none of his rivals as talented as the American-bred Mismyrtleboyrichie and Emperor Hall and the local-bred Commanding Chief, his last two efforts as bridesmaid could be converted into a winning one.

The race is froth with many dangers to the success of Raise A Ruckus with so much genuine speed present. Among his 10 rivals only Cold Ground, the mount of Devon A Thomas, will not be a threat in a field such as this.

But the others including Reasonable Press, to be partnered by Aaron Chatrie, a winner at the distance earlier in the season in an impressive 1:25.4 in the grade below; Classy Prospect, to be ridden by the leading jockey Dane Nelson, one who is a recent winner at the distance also in the grade below in a time of 1:25.3, along with Sweat Trail, who was a three-length loser to Reasonable Press in a time of 1:26.2, could ruin that attempt.

Looking at the bigger picture the speed present could work in the favour of Raise A Ruckus.

He has only once been over the distance and was beaten by the reigning Horse-Of-The-Year Mark My Word, whose time was a smart 1:24.3 and it was the first time that Mark My Word was winning the distance.

Raise A Ruckus was three lengths adrift second after being allowed 16 pounds. The big question is could he reverse the process now that he is in the driver's seat with top-weight, as did Mark My Word then. It is not far fetched to think so.

Ones to Watch

Race 1 Prince Of Peace (Dane Nelson)

Race 2 Skipping Cool (Ruja Lahoe)

Race 3 Eloping Emma (Paul Francis)

Race 4 Primerlinian (Rayan Wilson)

Race 5 Prince Andrew (Winston Griffiths)

Race 6 Principe (Shane Ellis)

Race 7 Di Cobre (Dane Nelson)

Race 8 Premium Returns (Shane Ellis)

Race 9 Raise A Ruckus (Winton Griffiths)

Race 10 Green Beret (Shane Ellis)